Tottenham Hotspur have released an official statement on their appeal against the seven-match domestic suspension handed to Rodrigo Bentancur, following comments the midfielder made about teammate, Heung-min Son.
What did Bentancur do to receive a ban?
Back in April, Rodrigo Bentancur was interviewed by Uruguayan journalist Rafa Cotelo, and the Tottenham midfielder was asked to reveal some of his shirt collection. It was at this point that Bentancur made a racially insensitive remark about Heung-min Son.
The transcript used in the official FA case documents went as follows (via Football London):
Cotelo: “Your shirt… well, what about the Korean’s shirt?
Bentancur: “Sonny?
Cotelo: “Or a champion.”
Bentancur with a laugh: “Or one of Sonny’s cousins as they all look more or less the same.”
Rodrigo Bentancur receives a seven-match ban
Bentancur soon took to social media to offer a public apology for his comments. He also offered a private apology to Son himself.
However, the FA decided this week to hand the Uruguayan a seven-match domestic suspension. He was also given a £100,000 fine as his comments were seen as an ‘aggravated breach’ of rule Rule E3.1.
Reports indicate that other clubs around the Premier League have been left shocked by the punishment. Some feel that Rodrigo Bentancur and Tottenham are being made an example of.
Tottenham release statement on Bentancur appeal
The Telegraph reported earlier today that Spurs are set to appeal the punishment levelled against Bentancur, but will not contest the guilty verdict itself. However, it is unlikely that the ban will drop below the six-game mark – the minimum set by the FA for racist abuse.
In an official statement today, Tottenham Hotspur said: “We can confirm that the Club has appealed against the length of Rodrigo Bentancur’s FA suspension, issued earlier this week.
“While we accept the guilty finding against Rodrigo by the independent regulatory commission, we believe the subsequent sanction is severe.
“Rodrigo will remain suspended from domestic competitions while the appeal is heard and the Club will make no further comment during this time.”